Water curtain protective spray nozzle adapter



Oct. 19, 1965 D. D. D1 coRPo 3,212,719

WATER CURTAIN PROTECTIVE SPRAY NOZZLE ADAPTER Filed Nov. 20, 1963 fnl/ zz for: `Dina 3i( 01500 lTf.

www S k @ZZ /W/y/// Y@ United States Patent 3,212,719 WATER CURTAIN PROTECTIVE SPRAY NOZZLE ADAPTER Dino D. Di Corpo, 8225 W. Giddngs St., Norridge, Ill. Filed Nov. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 324,998 14 Claims. (Cl. 239-541) This invention relates to nozzle adapters for hoses and more particularly to a nozzle adapter for producing a fan-type water curtain spray.

In fire fighting it is often quite desirable to have a protective water curtain either to surround a burning object or provide a defensive protective curtain around nonburning objects. Known devices for producing such a water curtain generally shoot water up in a fan-type spray. However, these hitherto known devices are not capable for forming a water spray parallel to the line of the hose and also are not capable of being used in conjunction with a conventional hose nozzle. Similarly, these known devices are lacking in a uniform saturation of spray throughout the arc of the fan.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a new and improved water curtain protective spray nozzle adapter.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a new and improved spray nozzle adapter which can be placed in series with other spray nozzle adapters within a hose line.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved spray nozzle adapter which can be used in conjunction with a conventional hose nozzle.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a new and improved spray nozzle adapter which produces a water curtain spray parallel to the line of the hose with which it is used.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a new and improved spray nozzle adapter which produces a water curtain of uniform saturation throughout.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved spray nozzle adapter made of relatively few parts which are easily assembled and simple to operate.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a top plan view of the spray nozzle adapter of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section view of the adapter shown in FIGURE l taken along the line 2 2 thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a section view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a specic embodiment thereof, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

Referring now to the drawings, the water curtain protective spray nozzle adapter of this invention includes a generally circular cylindrical elongated tube body 12 having a threaded end 14 adapting the tube body to be threadably secured to the female end of a hose line 16, or to a conventional nozzle or a closed end cap. The other end 18 is provided with a groove 18a for receiving a snap ring 18h. A collar 19 having a groove 19a may be secured to the nozzle adapter and threaded on the threaded end of a hose 20 or another nozzle adapter. A washer 21 is interposed between the connected members to provide a seal.

Ffice Mounted on the periphery of the tube body is an elongate block-like manifold member 22. The manifold member has an elongate groove 24 therein which opens to the exterior at the top thereof. The groove has a relatively at bottom 26 and two elongate parallel opposed notches 28 and 30 which are cut into the side of the groove.

A slide valve block member 32 is positioned in the manifold block in the groove 24 thereof and mounted for slidable movement relative to the manifold. To this end, the valve member is provided with outwardly projecting ears 34 and 36 which are received in the notches 28 and 30, respectively, of the groove 24. At either end the valve member is provided with stop means, such as 38 and 40, which comprise overhanging projecting portions which are adapted to abut either end of the manifold block member and limit the relative slidable movement of the valve member relative to the manifold member.

In the illustrated embodiment there are three parallel planes extending longitudinally of the tube, and in each plane a row of twenty-two openings in the wall of the tube. rThere are four groups of openings in each row with the openings in a group extending through the tube wall at the same angle, but with the angle of the openings in each group differing from the angles of all the other groups. In the preferred embodiment, the rst group consists of seven rows of three abreast holes 42 formed at an angle of 45 to `such a plane. The next group consists of five rows of three abreast holes 44 formed at an angle of to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The next group consists of ve rows of three abreast holes 46 formed at an angle of 60 to the longitudinal axis of the tube and the last group consists of ve rows of three abreast holes 48 formed at an angle 90 to the longitudinal axis of the tube.

The manifold block is similarly provided with openings which are in registry with the openings of the tube. These openings are of the same number, the same size and in groups of the same angles as those found in the tube. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the openings 42a are formed at 45, the Iive rows of three abreast openings 44a are formed at 50, the five rows of three abreast openings 46a are formed at 60, and the tive rows of three abreast openings 48a are formed at 90 to the centerline of the tube.

The slidable valve member 32 is provided with an equal number of three abreast openings which register with the openings in the manifold block but are outwardly therefrom at different angles in a fan-type array. O-rings 50 may be provided between the openings in the manifold block and the valve block to provide an appropriate seal therebetween. Oppositely disposed, spaced sets of three abreast holes in the valve member are formed at the same interior angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the three openings 52 at the left end of the valve block (as shown in the drawings) are formed at an acute angle of 27 to the longitudinal axis of the tube as are the openings 52a at the far right of the block. Similarly, the openings 53 and 53a are formed at an angle of 29 to the longitudinal axis of the tube. Continuing on sequentially, the openings 54 and 54a are formed at an angle of 32, openings 55 and 55a are formed at an angle of 55, openings 56 and 56a at an angle of 39, openings 57 and 57a at an angle of 44, openings 58 and 58a at an angle of 50, openings 59 and 59a at an angle of 57, openings 60 and 60a at an angle of 65, openings 61 and 61a at an angle of 75 and the two central openings 62 and 62a at an angle of 85 When the valve member 38 is positioned as shown in FIGURE` 2 with the openings therein in registry with openings in the manifold member and water is fed through the hose 20 and into the tube body, the water sprays outwardly therefrom through the openings in the valve member with a uniform saturation of a fan-type spray. This is due to the different angles of the bores through the manifold block with respect to the center line of the tube as well as the different angles of the bores in the valve member with respect to the corresponding bores through the manifold. The device may be disabled by merely sliding the valve member relative to the manifold block to misalign the valve openings relative to the manifold openings so that communication therethrough is blocked.

While the specific angles illustrated in the preferred embodiment provide an extremely effective spray nozzle adapter, it is to be understood that the general relative position of the angles of the tube holes, manifold holes and valve holes determine the effectiveness of the nozzle. Thus, the specific angles herein described are based on the general theory of this invention of providing a plurality of groups of openings in the tube and manifold which are most obtusely angled relative to the fluid ow at the proximal end of the nozzle (that end which is closest to the hose connection) and which become progressively more transverse to the fluid flow of the hose as the openings approach the distal end of the nozzle. In combination with these openings it is the general fantype arrangement of the openings in the valve member which overlie the manifold openings and combine therewith to produce a spray curtain of generally uniform saturation as water is fed from the hose into the adapter.

The nozzle adapted of this invention provides an improved water curtain of substantially uniform saturation. When used in a 11/2 to 21/2" line with pressure therein at 100 p.s.i., this nozzle adapter produces a spray approximately forty feet in height and fifty feet wide. The water Wall is produced generally parallel to the line of the hose and falls in substantially the same plane as it rises to give double use thereof and therefore a double protection in fire lighting. The adapter can be threaded in series with a plurality of other adapters in a hose line to produce a water wall parallel to the line. Also, a conventional nozzle may be threaded at one end of the adapter to provide both a conventional nozzle spray as well as a water wall spray. The nozzle adapter of this invention consists of relatively few parts with only one movable part making it economical to produce, easy to maintain and capable of extended use over long periods of time.

I claim:

1. A spray nozzle adapted for use with a hose for producing a water curtain spray comprising: a tube having a plurality of openings, therein; a manifold block xed on a portion of said tube over the openings thereof, said manifold block having a plurality of openings in registry with said openings in said tube; and a valve member over said openings in said manifold block, said valve member having openings therein and being adapted for movement relative to said manifold block to selectively bring said valve member openings in and out of communication with said manifold and tube openings to selectively open and shut said nozzle.

2. A spray nozzle adapter for use with a hose for producing a water curtain spray comprising: a tube having a plurality of substantially aligned openings therein; a manifold member on said tube having a plurality of aligned openings in registry with said tube openings; and a slide valve member on said manifold having a plurality of openings therein, said valve member slidable relative to said manifold and said tube to selectively bring said valve member openings in and out of registry with said manifold openings for selectively permitting water to be sprayed therethrough, and the majority of said slide valve openings forming an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the adapter which differs from the angle formed by the corresponding manifold openings.

3. The spray nozzle adapter of claim 2 wherein said openings in said slide valve member are disposed in fantype array to produce a fan-type spray.

4. A spray nozzle adapter for use with a hose for producing a Water curtain spray comprising: a tube having a plurality of groups of aligned openings therein and threaded at either end for coupling engagement within a hose line, each group of openings formed at different angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube with all the openings in each group formed at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said tube; a manifold block on the periphery of said tube having a plurality of aligned openings therein in registry with the openings in said tube, said manifold block openings also comprising groups of openings at different angles to the longitudinal axis of said tube; and a valve member over said manifold member having a plurality of openings therein, said valve member being mounted for movement relative to said manifold member to selectively open and shut the flow through said nozzle, the majority of said openings in said valve member forming a different angle relative to said adapter axis than the corresponding manifold openings, said valve openings being in fan-type array to produce a curtain of water spray therethrough.

5. The nozzle adapter of claim 4 wherein said openings in said manifold block extend at the same angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube as the openings in the tube member with which said manifold openings are in registry.

6. A spray nozzle adapter for use With a hose for producing a water curtain spray comprising: a tube having a plurality of groups of aligned openings therein and threaded at either end for coupling engagement within a hose line, the alignment of said openings being parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tube, each group of openings formed at different angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube with all of the openings of each group formed at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said tube; a manifold block on the periphery of said tube overlying said openings and having a plurality of openings therein in registry with said tube openings, said manifold block openings also comprising groups of openings formed at different angles to the longitudinal axis of said tube with all the openings in each group formed at the same angle, said manifold block having a longitudinally extending groove at the top thereof intersecting said openings; and a valve member mounted in said groove in said manifold member for movement relative thereto, said valve member having a plurality of openings therein for selective registration with said openings in said manifold block in response to appropriate positioning of said valve member to establish communication between the interior of said tube and the exterior thereof, the majority of said openings in said valve member forming a different angle relative to said adapter axis than the corresponding manifold openings, said valve openings being formed in fantype array therein so that a fan-type curtain of water spray will be produced when said valve member is positioned with the openings therein in registration of the openings of said manifold block and water is conducted through said tube.

7. The nozzle adapter of claim 6 wherein the groups of openings in said tube and said manifold block are formed so that those openings at the distal end of the tube and manifold are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube and the groups of openings are formed progressively at a more acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube between the distal and proximal end thereof.

8. A spray nozzle adapter for use with a hose for producing a water curtain spray comprising: a tube having a plurality of openings therein; a manifold block on said tube over the openings thereof, said manifold block having a plurality of openings in registry with said openings in said tube, said manifold openings formed at angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the adapter to provide uniform pressure distribution of water through said openings; and a valve member over said openings in said manifold block, said valve member having openings therein for registration with said manifold openings for selectively permitting water to be sprayed therethrough.

9. The nozzle adapter of claim 8 wherein said valve member openings are formed in fan-type array relative to the longitudinal extent thereof.

10. A spray nozzle adapter for use with a hose for produeing a water curtain spray comprising: a tube having a plurality of groups of aligned openings therein, each group of openings formed at different angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube with all the openings in each group formed at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said tube; a manifold block on the periphery of said tube having a plurality of aligned openings therein in registry with the openings in said tube, said manifold block openings also comprising groups of openings at different angles to the longitudinal axis of said tube; and a valve member over said manifold member having a plurality of openings therein, the majority of said openings in said valve member forming a different angle relative to said adapter axis than the corresponding manifold openings, said valve openings formed in fan-type array to produce a curtain of water spray therethrough.

11. The nozzle adapter of claim 10 wherein said openings in said manifold block extend at the same angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube as the openings in the tube member with which said manifold openings are in registry.

12. A spray nozzle adapter for use with a hose for producing a water curtain spray comprising: a tube having a plurality of substantially aligned openings therein; and a member over said tube having a plurality of openings therein each registering with a tube opening, the majority of said member openings forming an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the adapter which differs from the angle formed by the corresponding tube opening.

13. The nozzle adapter of claim 12 wherein said tube openings are formed in a plurality of groups, each group of openings formed at different angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube with all the openings in each group formed at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said tube.

14. The nozzle adapter of claim 13 wherein said member is a valve member slidable relative to said tube to selectively bring said openings in and out of registry with each other.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 613,296 11/98 Ober et al 239-562 640,547 1/00 Duie 239-541 1,004,991 10/11 Charles 239-562 1,325,513 12/19 Fricker 239-562 1,848,948 3/32 Grosser Z39-586 2,483,719 10/49 Anderson 239-562 2,631,058 3/53 Ingham et al 239-566 2,658,798 11/53 Meltzer et al. Z39-562 2,827,060 3/58 Marty 239-562 2,993,650 7/61 Badberg 239-563 3,047,241 7/ 62 McLhinney 239-600 3,095,151 6/ 63 MacChesney 239-562 EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SPRAY NOZZLE ADAPTED FOR USE WITH A HOSE FOR PRODUCING A WATER CURTAIN SPRAY COMPRISING: A TUBE HAVING A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS, THEREIN; A MANIFOLD BLOCK FIXED ON A PORTION OF SAID TUBE OVER THE OPENINGS THEREOF, SAID MANIFOLD BLOCK HAVING A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS IN REGISTRY WITH SAID OPENINGS IN SAID TUBE; AND A VALVE MEMBER OVER SAID OPENINGS IN SAID MANIFOLD BLOCK, SAID VALVE MEMBER HAVING OPENINGS THEREIN AND BEING ADPATED FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID MANIFOLD BLOCK TO SELECTIVELY BRING SAID VALVE MEMBER OPENINGS IN AND OUT OF COMMUNICATION WITH SAID MANIFOLD AND TUBE OPENINGS TO SELECTIVELY OPEN AND SHUT SAID NOZZLE. 